Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
Can High Dose Of Effexor XR Treat Depression?
In the past I have taken Welbutrin, Abilify, and Lexapro. All of these medications had unbearable side effects and I had to stop taking them. Around 2 years ago I was started on 75mg/day of Effexor XR and until recently, it has worked great. However, for the past couple of weeks I have been feeling depressed again. I am very tired and unmotivated. I have an appointment with my family doctor next week, but in the mean-time I am concerned for my mental health. Would it be in my best interest to ask for a higher dosage or to ask for a different medication.
posted on
Thu, 13 Mar 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 3 Feb 2015
Answered on
Wed, 18 Feb 2015
Last reviewed on
Hello thanks for asking from HCM
You have been on Bupropion (wellbutrin), Abilify and Lexapro for depression and these medicines caused side effects so you stopped these medicines. Then Venlafaxine 75 mg was added to prescription and it worked great. The medicine is a SNRI drug and have good antidepressant effect. If now you have persisting symptoms of lack of motivation, tiredness then as per my opinion doses can be increased. Increase in dose will result in improvement in symptoms and there would be no serious side effects.
You can consult your psychiatrist for high dose of the drug.
Thank
You have been on Bupropion (wellbutrin), Abilify and Lexapro for depression and these medicines caused side effects so you stopped these medicines. Then Venlafaxine 75 mg was added to prescription and it worked great. The medicine is a SNRI drug and have good antidepressant effect. If now you have persisting symptoms of lack of motivation, tiredness then as per my opinion doses can be increased. Increase in dose will result in improvement in symptoms and there would be no serious side effects.
You can consult your psychiatrist for high dose of the drug.
Thank
I find this answer helpful
Hello
The maximum dose of effexor to treat depression is upto 225mg/day.
So it would the best choice to raise the dose of drug rather than changing the drug.
Do discuss about the discontinuation symptoms of effexor with your doctor.
Thanks.
The maximum dose of effexor to treat depression is upto 225mg/day.
So it would the best choice to raise the dose of drug rather than changing the drug.
Do discuss about the discontinuation symptoms of effexor with your doctor.
Thanks.
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on Aripiprazole
Loading Online Doctors....